It is a brain cramp of some kind, but I feel like in the past week I read a post here that contained a link to an interesting article about the percentage of people in the various European countries that speak English. I didn't keep track of that link, although I read the article. As luck would have it, now I would like that information. Can one of you help me out please?
Thanks.
Here is the full survey: https://www.ef.co.uk/epi/
painting all the people of a country with one brush is a bit broad-brush in my opinion.
Many countries expect the younger generations to learn a foreign language, often English... so putting the elderly who may not have done that in the same bucket wouldn't necessarily help. A similar split may occur in highly rural areas compared with urban. Touristed areas versus off the beaten path.
So regardless of percentages quoted they still need to be taken in context.
In general, in most touristed areas most people regularly working with English speakers will likely have some basic English which allows exchange of information in a conversation.
A bit surprised that countries like Singapore and South Africa, where
English is an official language, are even listed.
They both have several official languages. English is an official language in South Africa but there are ten others as well.
Nigel has a good point. The city where I live, in the country ranked 15 in the world on that survey, its very likely that anyone you meet under the age of 40 will be able to communicate with you in English. Above 40 not as many unless they are somehow connected to the tourist business. In the country, outside of the city, even fewer.
But its still interesting and does give some idea of a worst case I guess. Or maybe just a rough order of magnatude
Coming here to second Tom - in Iceland, EVERYONE spoke English. And spoke it well!
I remember, back in 1974, visiting Munich. we had been to the Hofbrau Haus, but wanted to see another brewhouse, less touristy. We went to the Platzl, a beer hall which also served food and which had a musical stage show of Bavarian song and dance (quite entertaining!). We shared a table with some Germans who didn't speak English. I didn't speak German, and my husband spoke just a small amount which he learned while stationed there in the army ten years before. We had a German dictionary-cum-phrasebook with us, which we passed around between us and we all managed to have a pretty decent conversation over the course of 1-2 hours. (It is possible our fluency was enhanced by our liquid refreshments!) A good time was had by all, in spite of our mutual lack of the other's language.
In 1974 English was spoken more in the Netherlands, and less so in the other countries. Today it is easier to find English speakers almost everywhere, even in Egypt and Turkey.
Use the tools you have available to speak the local language, even if only in a small way. Go forth and relish the conversations you encounter, whether in English or not!
Judy, my Spaish becomes fulent about halfway through a bottle of tequila.
Broad brush indeed... I am now in Slovenia and perfect English is the norm. Children are required to learn it in school with proficiency exams required.
Not sure when the requirement to learn English began but elderly people don't speak English.
Mr E, Did you edit your last entry here?
Thanks to everyone who replied. The link is the one I was thinking of.
No..........
